NEWS: Congressman Greg Casar Delivers $4 Million for New Wishbone Bridge in East Austin
AUSTIN, Texas – Today, Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas) joined Austin community leaders and elected officials to celebrate a new $4,116,279 federal grant through his office to complete funding for the construction of the “wishbone” shaped bicycle and pedestrian bridge across Ladybird Lake for East Austin.
“I’m incredibly excited to see this new wishbone bridge come to life for East Austin. It’s going to be an amazing place that reminds us of why we love our city,” said Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas). “This iconic bridge with a plaza is going to be a place for all of East Austin — from people walking for exercise, to biking to work, to enjoying live music. I can’t wait to bike across it with everyone once it’s built!”
The new bridge is part of the City of Austin’s Longhorn Dam Multimodal Improvements project, and will connect to the existing Butler Hike and Bike Trail at three points: Longhorn Shores, Holly Shores, and the unnamed peninsula near Holly Shores.
This federal funding was made possible through the Community Project Funding process for the Fiscal Year 2024 spending bills. The City of Austin applied for the grant through Casar’s office last year. It was approved in the first round of the appropriations government funding packages that passed the U.S. House on March 6 and signed by President Joe Biden on March 9, 2024.
“The wishbone bridge is going to change the way our community connects, commutes and enjoys Lady Bird Lake,” said Austin City Council Member José Velásquez (District 3). “This grant is going to allow us to get moving on this very necessary project.”
“This bridge will help Travis County continue to improve safety and mobility for residents of East Austin and Southeast Travis County, especially those who have patiently been waiting for an Eastside connection across Lady Bird Lake,” said Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gómez (Precinct 4).
“This project is the perfect example of the City collaborating with the community by giving them the opportunity to voice their opinion to deliver a quality project that enriches the experience for all,” said James Snow, City of Austin Capital Delivery Services (CDS) director. “But most importantly, East Austin deserves this investment.”
"The bridge will provide a seamless connection to the recently completed Holly Lakefront area, demonstrating the City's commitment to the community’s request for a better and safer park space,” said Hanna Cofer, interim CEO of The Trail Conservancy. “With the mission to protect, enhance, and connect the Butler Trail for the benefit of all, The Trail Conservancy is honored to collaborate and contribute to the future maintenance of the Longhorn Dam Wishbone Bridge once completed.”
Resources:
###
Congressman Greg Casar represents Texas’s 35th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which runs down I-35 from East Austin to Hays County to the West Side of San Antonio. A labor organizer and son of Mexican immigrants, Casar serves as the Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the 118th Congress. He also serves on the Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the Committee on Agriculture.